Loving the Lounge

When I get a serious crush on a bar, I'm loathe to proclaim it too loudly, fearing mass hoi polloi infestation. But Loungelover, brought to you by Les Trois Garćons crew, is so fabulous, I can hardly contain my excitement.

Despite its louche location, off the ghastly Bethnal Green Road, this has to be the sexiest venue in town.

A cute flambeaux-lit, palmfringed courtyard fronts airy, former industrial premises, which have been sensationally transformed by mixing classy retro seating, sumptuous furnishings, soft focus lighting and opulent objets d'art. It's an inspired jumble of 1960s kitsch, junk shop gothic, French chateau and designer Dickensiana. A succession of exotic mini film sets form a Cocteau-esque fairy tale mise-en-scene, which is both charming and utterly seductive.

Seated under shimmering chandeliers at a vast Provenćal table, where huge champagne-flute vases house trailing roses, we sample genius Grey Goose Martinis in stylish bowls and Long Beach Tea from a killer cocktail list.

Friendly staff pull off the delicate trick of looking hip and gorgeous while oozing professionalism. The ambient soundtrack is sensibly balanced at a level which permits easy conversation - although with such absorbing visuals, I'm finding it hard to concentrate on date, a seasoned third-time visitor.

Dinner, from a short brasserie menu, is good - light calamari on coco-rice starters, followed by baked haddock in dill sauce and rib-eye steak, watercress and red onion jus. Our waitress suggests we might prefer to finish our wine - a cheeky Viognier - from the comfort of deco armchairs in an Op Art acid-tone lounge - think Dorothy Parker meets Timothy Leary.

I also like the look of a bonkers, tongue-in-cheek, VIP 'prison' set behind iron bars.

The tab comes to £100, well worth it given our ecstatic experience. Loungelover? I'm all loved up!